The two biggest things that were weighing down upon me were a Presentation for Sport and Exercise Nutrition, and a poster project for Exercise Testing and Prescription for Health. The presentation was about Dietary needs specific to swimmers. My partner and I narrowed our focus a little bit, and specifically about micronutrient consumption, and how many elite swimmers take multi-vitamins that are unessential, and end up getting way too much of some vitamins, and still fall short with others, leading to less-then-optimal health, and performance. So, to all you swimmers out there, just eat healthy to get all your vitamins. No more of this shotgun approach to getting all your vitamins. You're just making your urine more expensive. (Also, benefits of taking lots of vitamin E are unsubstantiated at best.)
The bigger challenge was my poster project. Each pair of students was given a case study, to prescribe 6 months of exercise, diet, and testing, to meet the specific goals of our hypothetical clients. It took us weeks to come up with it all. It was one of those projects that you absolutely hate, while you're doing it, but as soon as you're done, you are immensely proud of it. If any of you are interested in reading some of it, I could email it too, you. (you will need microsoft publisher to view it) Good news though, I just got the grading back on it, and my partner and I got the 2nd highest grade in the class for our poster. Yay!
Also, on the same day as my poster was due, i had a test in another class, so you can imagine how much i have relished this weekend. I feel as if a great homework-shaped weight has been lifted from my chest.
I am now entering my last week of class, after which there is a dead week (called Swotvac in Australia) for revision, and then finals. ouch.
Since I have had relatively little work this weekend, I have had time for some more enjoyable pursuits. Friday night, we went out to the ice-skating rink for a night of cold fun. It was disco night at the rink, so the music and lights made it even better. Even though the rink was a little small, and the ice was rough (to small for a zamboni) it was a little taste of Minnesota, and it was funny to see all the Australians fumble around on the ice. Ok, they weren't that bad, but they certainly don't have the cold weather instinct like those of us fortunate enough to have touched snow in our lives. There were a couple great falls, including yours truly trying to skate between my friend, Chris's legs. It was probably the most awkward wipe-out anyone had ever seen, and we all had a good laugh about it. After leaving the rink, we decided to nurse our new blisters with 50 cent ice cream cones, and free soda re-fills from Hungry Jack's. For those of you who don't know, Hungry Jacks is what Burger King is called down under.
Saturday was a very relaxing day. I mainly sat around, relishing in the fact that I had no homework to do. I spent most of they day being about as active as a bump on a log, and loved every minute of it. We watched a movie in the evening, played some video games, and actually got to bed at a somewhat respectable hour.
Sunday was truly great. Me, Melanie, and few friends went downtown for the Sunday market to view the vendors wares, and make a few purchases for loved ones. After that it was hours on the beach, soaking up sun, swimming in the ocean, and taking walks by the waterside. After we had far exceeded our vitamin D for the day, we hopped on the bus back to Uni for dinner, and relaxing in our rooms.
Today (Monday) has been good. Laura says she can tell I miss home, since I talk to her on facebook more often then I did a month ago. She's probably right. I think a semester is the perfect amount of time to spend, and come thanksgiving, I will be very thankful to be back with family. After talking with family, I grabbed some lunch, and finished the physics work that I had gleefully neglected all weekend. I had a good 8k run in the early afternoon, but I wasn't moving too quick, since it was fairly warm out (about 83). I remember now why I usually run later in the day.
Well, sorry again for making you wait so long (especially the Gatewoods, and Phil) but I will be keeping up more vigilantly now. As for the rest of my night, I have a practical exam to study for, and some cleaning. My room looks like I have a small tropical storm for a room-mate.
Love to all of you,
Matt
No comments:
Post a Comment